It's tick time in Connecticut

Published 11:41 pm, Sunday, May 5, 2013

It's May in Connecticut, the sun is shining, flowers are in bloom -- and disease-carrying ticks are back on the scene.

Public health experts said tick season is now in full swing, meaning that residents need to start protecting themselves from the critters and the diseases they carry. These can include babesiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.

He said tick season starts in April and can go as late as November, but the Connecticut Department of Public Health reports that the peak time for acquiring infections from the creatures is now through July.

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Ticked offHere are some tips from the Connecticut Department of Public Health for preventing tick bites:Avoid tall grass and overgrown, brushy areas.When hiking in wooded areas, stay in the middle of trails.Consider using insect repellent, according to manufacturer's instructions.Tuck pant legs into socks. Wear long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes.Wear light-colored clothing, which makes ticks easier to see and remove.When returning indoors, shower using a wash cloth to remove any unattached ticks.Examine yourself, children and pets for ticks when returning indoors.

Tick-borne infections vary in severity and symptoms, but Lyme disease is a particular concern in Connecticut. The illness can be hard to spot, Saul said, as the tell-tale "bull's eye" rash associated with it only appears in half of those infected. Other symptoms -- including high fever and body aches -- resemble those associated with the flu.

Last year alone, there were 780 confirmed Lyme disease cases in Connecticut and an additional 679 probable cases.

"Unlike (mosquito-borne diseases) West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus, we have a lot of Lyme disease every year in Connecticut," said Randall Nelson, public health veterinarian for the Connecticut Department of Public Health. "It's important to remind people that there are things they can do to minimize their risk."

One major thing state residents can do is be extra vigilant about spotting ticks attached to themselves or others, including pets.

At this time of year, Nelson said, ticks are typically at the nymph stage, meaning they haven't reached their full adult size. This makes them harder to spot, as they're often mistaken for freckles. "Attached ticks often go unrecognized, unless you're looking for them," he said.

However, seeing and removing them as soon as possible is the best way to avoid getting sick, Saul said. "If you can get the tick off of you within 18 hours, they don't usually have enough time to transmit disease," he said.

Other tips include avoiding tick-friendly spots like tall grass or wooded areas. If it's cool enough out, wear long pants and tuck cuffs into socks (ticks love to latch onto the lower leg area). And consider using an insect repellent.

But, Nelson said, being cautious doesn't mean you can't enjoy the summer. It just means you have to pay attention.

"We can't just put ourselves in a bubble and not do anything," he said. "That would compromise our quality of life."